Spring Cleaning

It was SO nice this weekend that the fiance and I went out to the barn for some seriously needed Spring  Cleaning. Both girls got curried with the shedding brush for a solid 30 or so minutes, got their legs scrubbed, and got their hooves cleaned and oiled. They look SO MUCH better. I was having so much fun cleaning that I didn't take very many pictures. We are going back out this afternoon, so I will take some more.

Trinity enjoying the sun and her Spring Grooming Session

When we got to the barn Frosty had a gnarly skinned section off of her back leg. We didn't notice at first and put the girls out in the arena. She ran and bucked like the baby she is and didn't look off at all. We then ran her and T around to get their body temp up (it eases shedding) and to get the kicks and bucks out (it eases my having to correct their behavior at the hitching post!). Both girls looked GREAT! Well, we tied the girls up and Shane immediately noticed Frosty's leg... It wasn't deep (really only a bad skinning, but her leg was pretty stocked up and once we began poking at it it became apparent it was sore. This really kind of irked me, seeing as though I never received a call about it...just like the tail situation, we show up for a fun day of grooming and riding and are shocked by something.

The list of cons at this barn are slowly adding up... No calls to inform me of whats going on with my horses, too far away, mediocre hay at best, T is not gaining weight, not enough room for them to move around if I can't get out... It all started the afternoon I discovered T colicing and the owner told me he noticed that morning, gave her some Banamine, put her on the hot walker, and then she seemed fine. OMG I couldn't believe that he didn't call me, it just goes on from there... Anyways, I have been in massive depressive mode lately due to work and not being able to see my girls hasn't helped in the least. I am really contemplating moving them; however, there aren't a whole lot of barns to choose from in the city. I am investigating a few...however no news yet... I don't dislike the place I am at though. The owner is so nice and I know he cares for the horses; however, his idea of what to call me about is drastically different than mine. I just wish I could see my babies more often. I think it would improve my moods lately 100 fold!

Shane and Frosty enjoying the sun while her leg dried so we could wrap it

Back to Sunday... We washed Frosty's leg off really well and wrapped them for the night to help reduce swelling. We have to go back this afternoon and remove the wraps before the massive rain/snow event starts this evening. I will take some pictures tonight. Shane and I packed up there and went to Murdoch's to pick up some supplies we needed (wormer, rubber bands, new lunge line, etc.). While we were there we found our cake topper for the wedding!

I LOVE IT! My family is not so sure about it, but we are going to use it!

Bad Habits...

A few blogs that I follow (The Adventures of Crispy-Creme and Wyvern Oaks) have recently discussed bad habits and the things we do with our horses every single day that could lead to death...just because we are lazy. That really got me thinking about what I do every time I spend time with the girls and how I am putting myself at risk. We often fall in love with our precious babies and forget that they are 1200lb (or 1550lbs in big girl's case) animals that could injure us on accident or on purpose at the drop of a hat! My main flaws come on the ground, though I have had several lapses in judgement while riding as well.

The main and most dangerous laps in judgement that I have ever had was during the summer of 2010 when I was riding and learning to barrel race with a bunch of western riders. Until that time I had grown up in a strict jumping and helmet world. People just did not go helmetless unless you were a big time trainer out hacking or schooling your horse (which I never got anyways...aren't they supposed to be the role models???). Anyways, I had never (or VERY rarely when riding a horse in from the field) gone helmetless. Well, I let myself succumb to the peer pressure of the western world and I barrel races FREQUENTLY all summer with no helmet (because no horse has ever slipped and fallen on a person while barrel racing...doH!). In the vein of fellow bloggers...here is the shamming video...

It was a stern talking to from my boyfriend (now fiance) as well as disapproving glares from my parents that knocked sense in to me and reminded me that helmets were for safety and not just for being hot and sweaty during the miserable Texas summers (its not like I haven't taken a million falls where a helmet saved my life or anything...dummy!). Luckily, I have remained smart and have continued to wear a helmet when I ride, even when people I ride with don't and mock me for wearing one. I have even become an advocate even though they never listen.

While I can say I have gotten better about the helmet thing...other things that I still do with the horses that just isn't smart or safe includes leading them without a lead rope. Trinity is such a lover and so well behaved on the ground that I often find myself throwing a lead around her neck and letting her walk to the arena for play time. If anything were to spook her (say the horse eating rooster or Trinity's main nemesis) I would have a loose horse on an 80 acre property that has no horse safe perimeter fence...Brilliant Lauren...I am much better about halter and leading Frosty Pants, but this is only because of the next unsafe task I do every day...

I often lead two horses at once! When I was at the self-care barn I had been known to lead 3 and *gasp* even four. This became a bad habit from my inception as barn help at my first training barn. The grooms were notorious for leading multiple horses at the same time and it just became habit. This is SO unsafe because if one horse spooked it could either cause the other horse to spook and you now have 2 crazy beasts with you in the middle, or you have to make the decision to let go of the spooking horse and have a crazy beast running wild or let go of the calm horse causing it to spook. I would love to say I halter and lead Frosty Pants because I am trying to avoid the spooking of both horses; however, it sadly isn't the case. Instead, I halter and lead Frosty because she is so much pokier than Trinity and I have to drag her as Trinity sets the pace (due to no halter and or lead rope...)

I could go on and on and on; however, the last unsafe thing that I do all the time is forget my place when grooming. I often put my head in front of Trinity's gigantor knees while scrubbing her cannon bones, get down on both knees (limiting a fast escape) when wrapping he legs or examining her feet, Let my head get to close to her back feet while picking her hooves, stand directly behind her while brushing her tail, etc. etc. etc. I have been nailed in the head a few time while scrubbing her cannon bones but did I stop doing that...nope...

In time I have found that the best way to remind yourself of unsafe horse practices is to teach a kid! You always know the correct things to do and want to pass those along, even if you don't do them yourself. Unfortunately, I am not teaching at this time and have forgotten a lot of this. Thanks to the blog-o-spere, I have become aware again and will be more conscious the next time I go play with my 1550lb baby cakes!

Back in Action

So the last month and a half or so have been absolutely miserable. I have been swamped at work, it has been snowy and disgusting, and I have put myself in to a really annoying funkification...

Yesterday I finally made it out to the barn for longer than 5 minutes and spent some quality time with the girls. It was disgustingly muddy, and they were themselves disgustingly muddy, but it was so good to see them! They always make things look better. I don't know why I forget that when I am in funkification mode. I should pack my ass up and head out the the barn. Then everything would be alright and I wouldn't be in a funk anymore...hindsight is 20/20 I guess. But anyways, the girls are doing magnificently. I just let them run in the arena yesterday and didn't work them. I want to get out both days this weekend and put their booties to work!

For your viewing pleasure...the mud balls!

Still looking a bit puny...

"Hi, Mom..."

Frosty looks REALLY pigeon toed here...I didn't notice that last night. She just got her feet trimmed. I think a call to the ferrier may be in order. 

It could just be the way she is standing...I will have to stand her up on hard ground this weekend.

That shark fin of a withers needs to go away...fast!

I think she will make a NICE horse if I ever find the time to finish her...

Our first Ride!

On Monday, Shane and I went to decompress with the ponies. We had a wonderful ride. Frosty was definitely feeling her oats. She gave Shane a ride for sure. He was very good and got back up and showed Frosty who was boss. All and all it was a good day. He was definitely sore though...Frosty's back has about doubled in width!

Shane at the end of his wild ride!

On the Trinity front, she had a wonderful workout! I knew she had lost significant muscle, but I didn't think it would be this bad! Her lower 1/3 of her neck is barely 2 inched thick. From above she looks very sad and depressing. After a good grooming I also found out that she is still showing significant ribs; however, it is currently covered by a good coat of hair. Each day I go out and work her I will give her a good dose of her old fat supplement and a scoop of grain. I would like to do it every day but I can't get out there and as amazing as the Barn Owner is, I don't think it will always get done...so I will make an even stronger effort to get out!

All and all the ride was good. We worked on some long and low and some flexion and some collection at the walk. We then did a majority of long and low work for a small amount of time at the trot (maybe 5 minutes?) and about 2 minutes of collection work before doing more walk work. She was exhausted by the time we were done. 

Showing some collection at the trot...very very difficult collection, but she tried so hard!

Some long and low work at the trot.

Medium collection at the trot. I am noticing a HUGE problem with my eyes looking DOWN! BAD LAUREN BAD LAUREN BAD LAUREN!

It felt good to be back in the saddle!

On Tuesday, Shane and I made our way back out to the barn; however, it was getting dark so we lunged in the indoor arena. Trinity worked hard in the deep sand and did a great job. She was tired and huffing, but she did a really good job. Frosty on the other hand was a handful. She needs to get a good run through in the round pen; however, with the constantly dwindling light it will have to wait until Sunday when Shane and I can get out during the day again. The girls were both warm from working so hard, so we had to sit at the truck and wait for them to cool off and dry. I forgot to take pictures until then...so here you go:

Sweaty pony!

Sweaty pony hanging out with Daddy!

The girls resting before their grain snack!

I love my big bay pony girl!

It is COLD!

So, I haven't been out to see the girls lately because it is freaking COLD! Even in the indoor I am not sure it is fair to get their heart rates elevated when it is below freezing. Both of the girls have monstrous winter coats and if they got warm it would take forever for them to cool down. Additionally, I would freeze to death! Yes, it has been chilly! The last week or so have seen highs around 13-17 and lows in the 0-4 range. Yes, that is fahrenheit... Therefore, I have allowed the girls to stay cuddled up in their nice wind blocked shelters, eat a ton of forage, get fat, and stay warm.

I used to be a chronic blanketter; however, since moving to Colorado, I have relaxed A LOT and allowed the horses to grow big thick winter coats. Frosty Pants is from a huge North Dakota pasture so I know she is fine! Trinity is a little less adept to the cold; however, for the last two winters I have weaned her off a blanket and this winter she is a freaking POLAR BEAR! I was worried with her being in a stall for the last 3 months, but I shouldn't have. That coat came in nice and thick.

So anyways, I am making excuses for not going out to see the girls. I have also joined a gym in my quest to become more fit and a lot skinnier for summer and for the wedding. So, I am splitting my time even more (because I had so much extra to spend...). For now, the girls are staying warm and relaxed. Shane and I plan on going out on Saturday when our big warm-up hits! Highs in the 50s...WOOHOO!

So, after sharing this tragic cold weather story with you. Here is a clip to enjoy: 

...ooooh to live in California, where 50s is a COLD SNAP...

Back to Work

Trinity is back to work! YAY!

I didn't really get any good side profile pictures since it was getting very dark very quickly and I wanted to get a good round pen session in. I will take some this weekend when it is light outside. The mare is FAT! I am so very very happy to report that she looks in foal! I can't wait to see how she looks once she looses the 100 lbs of fluff ball that she is currently sporting! He neck is very very small and her gut is very big, but all in a good way. She looks perfectly ready to start shaping up with muscle and loosing the flab, rather than her old oddly shaped malnutrition/fat/weird look!

Yesterday I put a surcingle on her, loose side reins, and let het go in the round pen. I didn't want to push her too much, and after only 5 minutes she was huffing! I know her feeling, I am just as out of shape. She worked great! After only a minute or two her head lowered and she started looking as if she really wanted to get back to work. For the first few times, I am just going to let her choose the pace. This weekend, we are supposed to get some serious snow, but I am hoping Shane and I can get out to the barn so I can get behind Trinity and start her driving lessons. Frosty is a natural, but I haven't ever really pushed Trinity in to the driving reins. I figured reconditioning would be a great time to start!

2012, A look back!

So, it is apparently common in the blog-o-sphere to do a look back at the past year and see how far things have come. For Trinity and I it has been amazing. Though I only started the blog recently, I did recap my history and Trinity's history in two extremely long blog posts! Over the past few months I have enjoyed keeping track of my girl. I started the blog after a colic scare made me reconsider what I would do if I ever did loose her. I am not sure I would survive! So, I started the blog in order to help me to preserve out history, to document our training, to connect with other horse people/bloggers, and to just give myself an outlet (and lets be honest...to slightly hold myself accountable, the though of the blog-o-sphere knowing I neglected my goals or training for some time is embarrassing! lol). So, without further ado...Our Year

January 2012

Last year began with us at a self-care boarding facility where I lived on site. I was living in a Studio Cottage overlooking the tiny riding arena/turnout area. My friends also boarded there (and some lived there), so we had a great time. Early in the month Trinity coliced (her first time since the week after I moved her from the race track to a field, thought to be from stress of the move and detoxing off the race track drugs). With the amazing help of my friends, several vet tech's, and my vet we gave her fluids, kept her out of the hospital, and nursed her back to health. We also started on a religious regimen of Sand Clear suggested by the vet.

 The view from my studio apartment, with Trinity in the Arena/Turnout

Tirnity on one of her many colic walks...it was FREEZING (below zero wind chills...) The vet said no blanket...I felt horrible!

February 2012

Even without vet's orders Trinity went on a workout hiatus because the arena froze over and didn't melt for months. The ground was hard and it was frigid most of the month. She got turned out a few times in the snow and then when the ground was mildly thawed (enough to buck, but not enough to work). She was still in shoes at this time so I wanted to be cautious about slipping and ice balls. Towards the end of the month I went with some friends to the county auction where myself and my friend, J, picked up a little grey filly to train and flip. I thought we would make some decent money off the endeavor...ha ha ha...

Snow Day Fun!

Look Mom, SNOW!

I Love My Mare!

The little filly we picked up at auction. I would call her Frosty, while J would call her DumAss (doom-oss)

March 2012

March brought some warmer weather and Trinity went back to roundpenning and few times a week, though I only rode a few times due to my work schedule. For Spring Break my boyfriend came in to town. I let him work with Frosty while I was busy or working Trinity. It was instant love and total match made in heaven. Even though she was an un-broke not even 3 year old and he has only ridden a handful of times on an uncooperative Trinity, they were perfect! 

J on Frosty for the first ever ride...she looks so terrified, doesn't she?

Shane, my boyfriend, on Frosty only her 2nd day under saddle...

April 2012

At the tail end of March/early April I moved apartments (still on the property) to one overlooking Trinity and Frosty's stalls. I continued to work both of them and we didn't see much action. Trinity started looking a little underweight as her winter coat came in and we saw a drastic spike in hay prices due to a drought. I started getting concerned about the horses well being and being able to afford paying for the amount of hay we were going through and Trinity still looked under weight. The Barn Owner began getting more and more demanding and causing drama with almost every boarder. Trinity celebrated her 8th birthday!

May 2012

In May Shane got a job working in Douglas County, Colorado and made the long trip to Colorado from Virginia. We spent most of the month getting used to living together and working and didn't do much with the horses other than what was required by self-care...we really did feel bad about it! More and More drama ensued with the Barn Owner. Frosty celebrated her 3rd birthday!

June 2012

In June Shane and I started looking for and ended up buying a house! J moved his horses away from the self-care barn, which was going drastically downhill. As we were moving from our apartment, Shane and I seriously considered a barn move as well due to sky rocketing hay prices, lack of a suitable arena, conflict with the Barn Owner, and a desire to not break ice in the winter if we weren't living on site (the owner forbid any electrical devices i.e. water heaters, fans, etc.). I was also apparently very bad these three months about taking pictures of the girls due to irritation.  I often found myself avoiding leaving my apartment so as not to run in to the barn owner.

July 2012

At the beginning of July we made the decision to move to the barn where J had his girls. The price was right and the care was awesome. We were able to ride in an arena 10 times bigger than before and we really started to put the girls to work. Trinity started with a new farrier due to the distance that we moved and she went barefoot for the first time. For the first month her feet were great and she was a trooper!

Trinity enjoying her new home!

Frosty finally started working hard as a three year old (and by hard I mean she trotted under saddle and did VERY little loose rein canter work)!

Shane got in some good rides...she looks so frightened doesn't she?

August 2012

By August J really needed to get out from under the board on Frosty and thought she was ready to resell. I agree that she could have been sold for a great profit at this point; however, Shane was SO attached to her. We looked very very very carefully at our budget and spoke to J extensively and considered just transferring ownership of Frosty from J to Shane. Shane had been the primary caregiver for most of the time and I was the primary trainer so it did make sense. Plus J was being VERY nice to give up a potential profit to let us keep her. The rest of August was mostly enjoying the girls and working and getting the house set up! Trinity continued to look very skinny in her top line and very rotund in her belly. The Barn Owner tried everything to alter her food to make her look better. We hoped maybe it was just her preparing for Winter early (she has ALWAYS grown her coat and shed her coat earlier than any other horse)...

Trinity showing her odd shape...

Sunset ride! I love this picture!

They are getting used to each other so much now! Shane is learning to keep his hands down and Frosty is learning to keep her nose down.

September 2012

September was fairly quiet on the horse front except that we finally made the deal with J to just transfer ownership of Frosty. We started paying all of the bills, though we still haven't done the official AQHA paperwork and all that... Work got very very busy and we had a lot going on with the house. Plus Shane changed shifts and any other excuse you can think of. At the beginning of the month Trinity came up sore on her fairly newly barefoot feet. She got through it okay and was working pretty soundly towards the end of the month. Most of the times that I rode it was just me, J, and his girlfriend L and we didn't have any pictures...oh well...Trinity continued to have a crappy body condition and we couldn't figure out how to make it better... 

October 2012

On October 3rd Trinity had a massive colon displacement due to sand impaction and had to have a massive colic surgery. She made through it okay and was put on stall rest for 2 months, stall with run rest for 1 month, and could then be introduced to light work. The surgeon removed about 100lbs of sand from her belly that they later identified as concrete dust. The "footing" that the self-care barn had been pawning off as gravel was actually pulverized concrete from old work sites and had mixed with her stomach moisture and almost solidified. We determined her January colic was probably the start and we cleared just enough for her to be okay a few months; however, another 6 months in the dust and then working on and off and eating quality forage for 3 months sent her stomach into distress. The forage needed a place to be expelled and with the concrete dust there was not enough space for the forage to get through. No amount of sand cleared could have cleared the hardened lump. Everything worked out well (except my checkbook) and Trinity spent the rest of the month with hand walks and resting. My new Barn Owner was a LIFE SAVER (literally!)

Surgery prep...

Surgery prep...I was too nervous to remember to get pictures during the actual surgery or of the yard sized TRASHCAN full of sand they removed from her belly.

SO much skinnier. Compared to the picture in August it is NUTS! She stayed in ICU for 6 days.

Trinity when she first returned to the farm the day our AMAZING vet came to take her staples out. She was such a good girl!

November 2012

November started with me complaining about the time change and how it is dark SO early...and was only getting worse through December. I also managed to take 30 day postop pictures of Trinity and hoped and prayed she was gaining weight back. People tried to keep me upbeat and I was positive, though looking back it doesn't seem like she had gained much weight at this point. Later in the month she got a hair up her butt, met her nemesis (the miniature donkey), and was allowed some round pen time! Shane and I joined my family on a trip to Mexico where we got ENGAGED!

30 days postop

another angle

round pen time at about 45 days.

YAY!

December 2012

I was a very bad mama in December and had trouble getting out to the barn on a regular basis. Trinity was back to her stall with a run, so I didn't feel too bad about not making it out, because at least she had room to moved and was back with her friends! I did get out a few times and let the girls play. I freaked out at how big Frosty was! I have never had a quarter horse before, so I didn't believe people when they told me she would grow a lot in her 3-5 year old years. I kind of laughed thinking they would mean an inch or so...I GUESS NOT! I haven't put a tape to her yet, but I would guess she is already upwards of 15.3 pushing 16hh. She was like 14.3 when we first got her from the auction 9 months before! YIKES! Shane and I left on December 19th for the rest of the year to spend with family and friends for the holidays, therefore, there was limited horsey news. 

Trinity is 16.2-16.3! Shane hasn't seen Frosty in over a month and is going to FREAK OUT!

Trying to get a better view. Take off the shark fin whither and they are pretty durn close!

Trinity's typical Alpha Mare face!

Looking Forward to 2013

2013 will be a fun filled year of craziness. We are building a new library at work and I am semi-in charge of the building project. My boss is the lead; however, I am doing a lot of leg work and stuff. The building opens in March so these first few months will be insane. On top of that we are planning on October 12, 2013 wedding (which I started a blog about). My goals for the year are:

• Number 1 will always be keep the girls happy and healthy!
• Spend January, February, March, and April getting Trinity back in ridable shape by long reining (driving), round penning when possible by light and weather), and stretching/flexing. 
• Spend these same months getting Frosty and Shane really comfortable together, start working on Frosty's top frame and Shane's posture.
• Get to the barn at least 3 times a week, which should be made easier at the end of January when Shane begins getting off work at 3pm instead of 6pm.
• Get Frosty and Trinity ready for some road rides.
• Spend the summer getting both girls in top shape.
• Perhaps compete in a few gymkhanas (play days) during the fall.

I think that this should work out to be a solid list of 2013 goals. 2012 was rough in horse land, but I have a feeling that 2013 will be a whole lot better! I am so excited to see what happens!